Even after the NFL announced that the salary cap ceiling for 2026 will be $20 million higher than originally expected, the Jacksonville Jaguars could still have to make a handful of tough decisions this offseason.
Restructuring a few deals will help, but that alone won't get the Jags out of the red, so they'll probably need to release a few players to get under the cap. That said, they won't be the only team that will need to make cuts this offseason.
Like Jacksonville, other teams will free up space by releasing players. Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report just highlighted three cap casualty candidates for each NFL club, and the Jags must keep close tabs on these four if they become available.
4 potential cap casualties the Jaguars must keep an eye on in 2026
Running back James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals dismissed head coach Jonathan Gannon and are looking for his potential replacement. Whoever takes the reins will want to bring in his own guys. Similarly, he'll look for ways to move on from players who don't fit the program to free up space. That could make James Conner a candidate to walk the plank.
Although Conner is coming off a broken foot that limited him to just three games last year, he's been a dependable running back throughout his career. A third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, the former Pitt Panther has averaged 4.4 yards per carry and logged over 1,000 yards each of the two seasons before he got hurt in 2025.
In Jacksonville, Conner would add depth and a solid option to their backfield alongside Bhayshul Tuten if Travis Etienne walks in free agency.
Defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson, Carolina Panthers
A'Shawn Robinson signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2024. Before that, he spent time with the New York Giants, the Los Angeles Rams, and four seasons with the Detroit Lions, the team that drafted him in 2024.
Robinson has been a mainstay of the Carolina defensive front the past two seasons, but the Panthers can free up $12.6 million if they release him. Again, he's a fine player, but his salary doesn't match his production.
The Jaguars have a need at defensive tackle. Robinson could give them a short-term fix at the position without having to break the bank. Arik Armstead may or may not return in 2026 (he's also dubbed a cap casualty), but having Robinson around would help either way.
Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers
Aside from defensive tackle and cornerback, the Jaguars must also give their pass rush a boost. They have Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen in place, but they need a No. 3 that could spell them and keep them fresh through the game.
Trading for Jonathan Greenard would make sense after the Minnesota Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. But if the Jags don't want to give up draft picks (or any other assets), they could wait for the Green Bay Packers to release Rashan Gary.
Gary is set to have a massive cap hit of $28 million next year. The issue is that he's good but not an elite pass rusher. He registered a combined 15 sacks the past two seasons, but with Micah Parsons in the fold, Green Bay may come to the conclusion that it doesn't make sense to keep Gary.
Cornerback Darious Williams, Los Angeles Rams
A familiar face made the cut. The Jaguars gave Darious Williams a three-year deal worth $30 million in 2022 to solidify their secondary. He didn't do much of note in his first season in Jacksonville but showed playmaking skills the following year, registering four interceptions and 19 passes defensed.
However, Williams was a cap casualty in 2024. He quickly went back to the Los Angeles Rams, his previous team before Jacksonville. He's once again at risk of getting the boot, and if he does, the Jaguars need to consider a reunion.
James Gladstone has worked with Williams dating back to his days in LA. He knows what he bringst to the table, and Williams would give the Jaguars an immediate starter at one cornerbacks spot in 2026.